Leaderboard

Sounds like you'd better served looking at something mid-tier rather than top of the line. I've seen quite a fewer Bauer's that feel much softer than their top of the line siblings.

I'm between a Supreme D and Nexus D, high instep. Had serious pain issues in both. True TF7 solved my problems. Went down a half size compared to Bauer Supremes D.

Even the pattern doesn’t matter much if the balance is right. I was surprised by that. I definitely have preferences in patterns still, but by far the most important thing is the balance.

Howdy, So, got the 9k in and played with it in a couple games this past weekend. A couple first impressions... Its annoying to not have it be a wrap style. Ended up putting on jock, then girdle without the legs, then socks, then skates, then shins, then socks fastened to jock (with is a little more irritating with the girdle in the way), then put the girdle legs in place, then pull on the shell. I might need to see if the 9k's "diaper" will fit over my skates. And maybe see if I can cut off the velcro for socks on the 9k itself, to get that out of the way of the velcro on the jock. Its also quite a bit heavier and a little more restrictive. Seems like that's the tradeoff for a decent bit more protection in front for pucks, etc. though. Not sure on the hip protection yet, but it seems like its a little better than the 7092 girdle. Still, the extra weight and more restriction is noticable. Similarly, its bulkier than the 7092. Shell fits a little tighter. I need to get used to how it sits on my hips, etc. as well. A few times it felt like maybe the shell or girdle or both were riding a little bit low. I think this is just getting used to it though. But maybe its the belt closure on the 9k being a little more finicky than the slip style one on the 7092 and not having the big velcro patch on the wrap closure. Going to keep giving it a go. Eventually I'll test out the hip protection. 🙂 My ideal girdle would have been the 7092 with with significantly better hip/tailbone protection. I'm less worried about the puck protection in the front and that's where the 9k seems to be WAY better. Maybe I'll franken mod the 7092, if the 9k doesn't work out. Mark

Cool, good to know. I'll see if I can find those M5 Pro skates in my size to try on (the Mach is too pricey for me). Thanks!

Respectfully..."power and control" is...IMO...straight up marketing. I bet you can skate with power, control, agility, speed...etc. in any skate if you're a strong skater. My opinion...having skated in many high end skates (from 1977-current)...it's all about what feels good on your feet and accommodates your stride and edges. I'm not slower in Ribcores or Vapors, nor am I faster in Tacks. That doesn't negate what you are feeling in your skates. Just saying that if you feel better doing certain things in a given boot...it's because of your mechanics. Maybe I'm full of it, but that's my take. Same thing with twigs...if I have the right feel/balance and flex...kickpoint means nothing to me.